Pneumatic discharge arrangement for hoppers

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for discharging materials from a hopper by pneumatic means includes a housing adapted to be attached to the lower end of a hopper. The housing is divided into a plurality of compartments separated by divider wall constructions. A control tube is rotatably positioned within a tubular trough communicating with the compartments. The control tube comprises a material receiving slot rotatable to an open position whereby sequential discharge may be obtained from each of the compartments. The discharge slots are circumferentially spaced about the peripheral surface of the control tube which may be rotated to a position closing all of the compartments. The control tube is rotatable within bearings provided in each of the divider walls, the said bearings including longitudinally extending recesses which are provided with resilient bearing elements engaging the peripheral portions of the control tube disposed in the area of the divider wall. Cleanout slots of relatively narrow width are provided on the tube in longitudinally spaced relation with respect to each other and the discharge slots. Certain of the cleanout slots are also provided at opposite ends of the control tube for cleaning out a space provided between the tubular trough and the peripheral surface of the control tube.

United States Patent Mundinger et al.

[54] PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE ARRANGEMENT FOR I-IOPPERS [72] Inventors: William D. Mundlnger, Highland; Ronald W. Marsh, Michigan City, both of Ind.

[73] Assignee: Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 76,931

[451 July 11,1972

Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-W. Scott Carson Attomey-l-lilmond O. Vogel and Richard J. Myers ABSTRACT An arrangement for discharging materials from a hopper by pneumatic means includes a housing adapted to be attached to the lower end of a hopper. The housing is divided into a plurality of compartments separated by divider wall constructions. A control tube is rotatably positioned within a tubular trough communicating with the compartments. The control tube comprises a material receiving slot rotatable to an open position whereby sequential discharge may be obtained from each of the compartments. The discharge slots are circumferentially spaced about the peripheral surface of the control tube which may be rotated to a position closing all of the compartments. The control tube is rotatable within bearings provided in each of the divider walls, the said bearings including longitudinally extending recesses which are provided with resilient bearing elements engaging the peripheral portions of the control tube disposed in the area of the divider wall. Cleanout slots of relatively narrow width are provided on the tube in longitudinally spaced relation with respect to each other and the discharge slots. Certain of the cleanout slots are also provided at opposite ends of the control tube for cleaning out a space provided between the tubular trough and the peripheral surface of the control tube.

9 Clairm, 9 Drawing figures PATENTEDJUL 1 1 I972 SHEU 1 or 3 INVENTORS WILLIAM D. MUNDINGER RONALD w MARSH 7 r x PATENTEDJUL n 1972 3. 675,975

INVENTORS WILLIAM D. MUNDINGE R mp0 w MA ;H BY '1 P'A'TE'NTEDJUL 1 1 I972 3, 67 5.975

sum a nr 3 3o 32 IN VENTORS WILLIAM 0. MUND/NGER RONALD w MARSH PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE ARRANGEMENT FOR HOPPERS This invention is an improvement over applicants US. Pat. No. 3,527,503, dated Sept. 8, 1970, now Reissue application Ser. No. 76,962, filed Sept. 30 1970.

SUMMARY The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved pneumatic discharge arrangement for pneumatically discharging materials from a hopper. The present arrangement includes a housing divided into a plurality of compartments whereby material may be discharged selectively from a hopper through any one of the compartments. The compartments are effectively separated from each other by a bearing means and bearing elements supported within a divider which divides the housing into said compartments. A first tube or trough is disposed below the housing and is open along its upper edges to receive material from the side walls of the housing. A control tube is positioned to rotate within the trough and extends through the dividers, the said control tube being effectively supported by bearing elements which engage the circumferential surface of the control tube. The housing is also provided with outwardly extending tubular extensions of the trough at opposite ends thereof and the control tube is supported for rotation within said extensions. The control tube includes a plurality of longitudinally disposed discharge slots which are so arranged about the of the control tube that one slot may be positioned for discharging a compartment while the slot in another compartment is positioned in a closed position. The control tube is also provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cleanout slots of relatively narrow width compared to the width of the discharge slots. The discharge slots are provided in the region of the extensions of the control tube and trough and are also provided in the area of the divider and bearing means and bearing elements. The control tube is spaced from the lower inner surfaces of the trough and outward extensions of said trough to provide an elongated circumferential space which extends the length of the trough and underneath the dividers and bearing means and bearing elements. During rotation of the tube the narrow cleanout slots are positioned to gather material disposed within said space so that effective cleanout of the housing and tubular trough throughout the extent thereof is effected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved pneumatic discharge arrangement;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a discharge arrangement connected to a hopper;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a housing showing parts of a discharge tube and control tube;

FIG. 6 is a detail plan view of a control tube;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 discloses a pneumatic discharge arrangement 10 comprising a housing 11 having opposed sloping walls 12 which converge downwardly and are enclosed by end walls 13. The side walls 12 and end walls 13 are connected by a rectangularly extending horizontal flange 14 which as best shown in FIG. 2 is adapted to be connected to a flange 15 of a hopper structure generally designated at 16. The housing 11 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced divider structures or walls 17 to provide a plurality of compartments designated A, B, and C, each of which is adapted to communicate at its lower end with a discharge tube or trough 18. The trough or tube 18 is open at its upper end extending substantially the length of the housing and includes outwardly diverging ears or flanges 19 which are connected to the sloping side walls 12. The divider structures or walls 17 also each include a block or bearing arrangement 20 having an arcuate underneath wall portion 21. The arcuate wall portion 21 is provided in each of the divider structures 17 with longitudinal slots 22 of substantially dovetailed configuration in which bearing elements 23 are positioned. The. bearing elements 23 may be of any suitable sealing material such as plastic, neoprene, rubber, etc. Each structure 17 also includes an inverted V-shaped deflector 24 provided with slope sheets 25 with the ends of said slope sheets being connected to the walls 12 of the housing 11. Lower flanges 26 on the slope sheets 25 overlap the opposite sides of the block 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, a control tube 27 is positioned within the tube or discharge trough 18 throughout the length thereof and projects outwardly on opposite sides of the housing 1 1 through extensions 28 of the trough 18. As best shown in FIG. 4 underneath each of the bearing blocks 20 the tube 18 is provided with inwardly'extending arcuate projections 29 which are adapted to engage the outer peripheral circumferential surface of the control tube 27. As best shown in FIG. 4, the control tube 27 is spaced relative to the inner wall of the trough 18 to provide a space 30 which extends longitudinally within the trough disposed within the housing 11 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also extends outwardly of the housing on opposite sides thereof between the inner wall of the extension 28 and the outer wall of the control tube 27 as best shown in FIG. 3.

The control tube 27, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 6-9, is provided with discharge slots 31, 32, and 33, the said slots being relatively circumferentially spaced as indicated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. The control tube 27 is also provided with cleanout slots 34, 35, 36, and 37 which are longitudinally spaced relative to each other, the slots 35 and 36 being disposed on opposite ends of the discharge slot 32, and the cleanout slots 34 and 37 being disposed on opposite ends of the control tube 27 and as best shown in FIG. 3, in communication with the space 30 provided beneath the control tube end and the extensions 28 of the trough 18.

Referring now to FIG. 3, opposite ends of the housing 11 include a collar 38 having handles 39 projecting on opposite sides thereof. The collar 38 is rigidly secured to the end of the control tube 27 by means of a screw 40. The collar 38 further includes an annular shoulder 41 provided with a rotatable sliding seal 42 disposed about the end of each of the extensions 28. A plate ring 43 is rigidly secured to the outer peripheral edge of the extension 28 and an annular sealing disc 44 is disposed between the ring 43 and the end of the shoulder 41, to provide for sealing relation of the interior of the housing 1 1 and the atmosphere. The collar 38 also has connected thereto a connector tube section 45 to which may be connected a suitable pressure or suction conduit 56 for withdrawing materials from the housing 1 l. A seal 46 connected to the collar 38 is engaged in sealing relation by means of an end cap 47 which is held in closed relation by a bail 48 pivoted on pins 49 projecting outwardly from the extension 28. A cam lever 50 is pivotally connected as indicated at 51 to the bail member 48 and is adapted to secure said cap 47 in its closed relation in conventional manner. The bail 48 includes an upper strap 52 which lies across the top of the cap 47 to maintain the bail in the position shown in FIG. 3. A car seal 53 is inserted through brackets 54 and 55 respectively provided on the cam lever 50 and bail 48 to provide for proper sealing of the cap 47 in its closed position.

THE OPERATION In the operation of the pneumatic discharge arrangement the caps 47 on opposite ends of the control tube 27 are removed and conduit 56 leading to a pneumatic conveying system (not shown) is attached to one of the connector tube sections 45, as best shown in FIG. 1. The bail 48 has been swung to the position shown in FIG. 1 and the handles 39 may now be rotated to rotate the control tube 27 to the desired position. In the position shown in FIG. 1 the center compartment B is in communication with the discharge slot 32 and material may thus be selectively discharged therethrough. The control tube 27 may then be rotated selectively so that either of the slots 31 or 33 may be placed into communication with their respective compartments A and C. Thus the complete housing and hopper to which it is connected may thus be emptied in a selective manner effectuating quick and complete discharge of materials. The space 30 is disposed in the area of the extensions 28 and beneath the bearing blocks 20 may be effectively cleaned out by rotating the control tube 27 so that the cleanout slots 34, 35, 36 and 37 clean out residue remaining after the major portion of the material has been discharged. Thus the area underneath the divider structures and the control tube, as well as the areas lying beneath the control tube 27 in the extensions 28 are effectively cleaned out.

Thus it is believed that an improved pneumatic discharge arrangement has been disclosed which fully meets the primary objective of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A pneumatic discharge arrangement including:

a housing adapted to be connected to the lower end of a hopper,

said housing including downwardly converging side walls and a pair of end walls,

an elongated lengthwise extending first tube connected with the lower end of said side walls, said tube having an elongated upper opening,

divider means spaced between the end walls within said housing to define therewith a plurality of longitudinally spaced compartments,

said divider means including a transversely extending wall structure between the end walls and connecting with said side walls and reinforcing the housing,

said wall structure including a transversely extending bearing member having an arcuate bearing surface disposed over said opening of said tube beneath said wall structure,

a control tube rotatably positioned within said first tube and at opposite ends thereof being adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source,

said first tube and said control tube defin-ing an annular space with said upper opening,

a plurality of longitudinally spaced discharge slots on said control tube and adapted to receive material from an associated compartment, there being one slot for each compartment and extending substantially the length of such compartment, said slots being circumferentially spaced relative to one another whereby during rotation of said control tube one slot is in communication with its associated compartment via said upper opening and another slot is closed with respect to its associated compartment, said control tube being movable whereby all said slots are rotated out of communication with said compartments and said discharge arrangement is closed,

cleanout slot means on said control tube being longitudinally spaced between said discharge slots, and

said cleanout slot means being disposed substantially beneath and across the transverse wall structure to communicate with said annular space.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said control tube and first tube projecting outwardly from opposite ends of said housing to define end extensions having circumferentially extending extension spaces between said tubes in the end extensions,

said cleanout slot means including slots being disposed in said control'tube in said end extensions, said slots communicating the interior of the control tube with said extension spaces.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said bearing member including a bearing element engaging said control tube beneath said wall structure.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3,

said bearing element being of a non-metallic material and being embedded in said arcuate bearing surface and radially projecting outwardly with respect thereto.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 3,

said arcuate bearing surface including a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending recesses, and said bearing element including elastic means disposed in each said recess.

6. A pneumatic discharge arrangement including:

a housing having sloping walls,

a tubular trough disposed below said housing and said trough having an upper opening extending along lower portions of said walls to receive material therefrom,

said housing having tubular extensions disposed on opposite ends thereof communicating with said trough,

a control tube in said tubular trough,

said control tube having longitudinally extending material discharge means adapted to communicate with said upper opening,

said control tube projecting within said extensions,

first bearing means on said extensions supporting said control tube for relative rotation,

second bearing means within said housing including bearing element dividing said housing into separate compartments and engaging said control tube, said second bearing means connecting with the sloping walls and reinforcing the housing,

said discharge means including a discharge opening extending substantially the longitudinal extent of each compartment and spaced circumferentially of an adjacent discharge opening for sequential unloading of one compartment relative to the other,

said control tube being supported relative to said trough and said extensions to provide an elongated space extending underneath said control tube and said second heating means and within said extensions, and

cleanout slots in said control tube longitudinally spaced with respect to said discharge opening, said cleanout slots being disposed in vertical alignment with said second bearing means and within said tubular extensions for discharging material from said space during rotation of said tube, said cleanout slots being of relatively narrow width relative to said discharge slot.

7. A pneumatic discharge arrangement including:

a housing adapted to be connected to a hopper,

said housing including downwardly converging side walls,

a longitudinally extending first tube connected to the lower end of said side walls, said tube having an elongated upper opening and at opposite ends being adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source,

divider means within said housing providing a plurality of compartments,

said divider means including a transversely extending wall structure connected with said side walls and reinforcing said housing,

a control tube rotatably positioned within said first tube and at opposite ends thereof being adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source,

a plurality of longitudinally spaced discharge slots on said control tube, there being one slot for each compartment, each discharge slot extending substantially lengthwise of its compartment between the annular space and the inside of the control tube, each discharge slot being adapted to receive material from its associated compartment when in registry with said upper opening, one discharge slot being circumferentially spaced from an adsecond cleanout slot means on said control tube second extension adapted to withdraw material from said annular space between said extensions.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7,

said cleanout slots having a substantially narrow width and said discharge slots being of substantially greater width.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 7,

said divider means including another transversely extending wall structure defining with the first mentioned wall structure and the ends of the housing three separate compartments and third slot means being disposed substantially beneath said another transverse wall structure to communicate with said annular space. 

1. A pneumatic discharge arrangement including: a housing adapted to be connected to the lower end of a hopper, said housing including downwardly converging side walls and a pair of end walls, an elongated lengthwise extending first tube connected with the lower end of said side walls, said tube having an elongated upper opening, divider means spaced between the end walls within said housing to define therewith a plurality of longitudinally spaced compartments, said divider means including a transversely extending wall structure between the end walls and connecting with said side walls and reinforcing the housing, said wall structure including a transversely extending bearing member having an arcuate bearing surface disposed over said opening of said tube beneath said wall structure, a control tube rotatably positioned within said first tube and at opposite ends thereof being adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source, said first tube and said control tube defin-ing an annular space with said upper opening, a plurality of longitudinally spaced discharge slots on said control tube and adapted to receive material from an associated compartment, there being one slot for each compartment and extending substantially the length of such compartment, said slots being circumferentially spaced relative to one another whereby during rotation of said control tube one slot is in communication with its associated compartment via said upper opening and another slot is closed with respect to its associated compartment, said control tube being movable whereby all said slots are rotated out of communication with said compartments and said discharge arrangement is closed, cleanout slot means on said control tube being longitudinally spaced between said discharge slots, and said cleanout slot means being disposed substantially beneath and across the transverse wall structure to communicate with said annular space.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said control tube and first tube projecting outwardly from opposite ends of said housing to define end extensions having circumferentially extending extension spaces between said tubes in the end extensions, said cleanout slot means including slots being disposed in said control tube in said end extensions, said slots communicating the interior of the control tube with said extension spaces.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said bearing member including a bearing element engaging said control tube beneath said wall structure.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said bearing element being of a non-metallic material and being embedded in said arcuate bearing surface and radially projecting outwardly with respect thereto.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said arcuate bearing surface including a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending recesses, and said bearing element including elastic means disposed in each said recess.
 6. A pneumatic discharge arrangement including: a housing having sloping walls, a tubular trough disposed below said housing and said trough having an upper opening extending along lower portions of said walls to receive material therefrom, said housing having tubular extensions disposed on opposite ends thereof communicating with said trough, a control tube in said tubular trough, said control tube having longitudinally extending material discharge means adapted to communicate with said upper opening, said control tube projecting within said extensions, first bearing means on said extensions supporting said control tube for relative rotation, second bearing means within said housing including bearing element dividing said housing into separate compartments and engaging said control tube, said second bearing means connecting with the sloping walls and reinforcing the housing, said discharge means including a discharge opening extending substantially the longitudinal extent of each compartment and spaced circumferentially of an adjacent discharge opening for sequential unloading of one compartment relative to the other, said control tube being supported relative to said trough and said extensions to provide an elongated space extending underneath said control tube and said second bearing means and within said extensions, and cleanout slots in said control tube longitudinally spaced with respect to said discharge opening, said cleanout slots being disposed in vertical alignment with said second bearing means and within said tubular extenSions for discharging material from said space during rotation of said tube, said cleanout slots being of relatively narrow width relative to said discharge slot.
 7. A pneumatic discharge arrangement including: a housing adapted to be connected to a hopper, said housing including downwardly converging side walls, a longitudinally extending first tube connected to the lower end of said side walls, said tube having an elongated upper opening and at opposite ends being adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source, divider means within said housing providing a plurality of compartments, said divider means including a transversely extending wall structure connected with said side walls and reinforcing said housing, a control tube rotatably positioned within said first tube and at opposite ends thereof being adapted to be connected to a pneumatic source, a plurality of longitudinally spaced discharge slots on said control tube, there being one slot for each compartment, each discharge slot extending substantially lengthwise of its compartment between the annular space and the inside of the control tube, each discharge slot being adapted to receive material from its associated compartment when in registry with said upper opening, one discharge slot being circumferentially spaced from an adjacent slot for sequential discharging of the compartments, first cleanout slots means on said control tube longitudinally spaced relative to said discharge slots, an annular space between said first tube, said wall structure and said control tube, said first cleanout slot means being disposed substantially vertically beneath the transverse wall structure to communicate with said annular space, said first tube including a first extension projecting outwardly from said housing, said control tube having a second extension projecting outwardly of said housing within said first extension, said space continuing between said extensions, and second cleanout slot means on said control tube second extension adapted to withdraw material from said annular space between said extensions.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 7, said cleanout slots having a substantially narrow width and said discharge slots being of substantially greater width.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 7, said divider means including another transversely extending wall structure defining with the first mentioned wall structure and the ends of the housing three separate compartments and third slot means being disposed substantially beneath said another transverse wall structure to communicate with said annular space. 